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Go back to First Page %u2022 Harris County Physician Newsletter %u2022 August 2025 %u2022 www.hcms.org 7 TMASFF Cowles Young Physician Scholarship Endowment awarded to two future HCMS medical leaders The Texas Medical Association Special Funds Foundation (TMASFF) Cowles Young Physician Scholarship Endowment recently awarded scholarships to two Houston-area physicians. Houston perinatologist Kathy Zhang-Rutledge, MD, and Houston reproductive endocrinologist Rashmi Kudesia, MD, were the first to receive the scholarship designed to allow young physicians to pursue leadership training opportunities in the Texas Medical Association. Dr. Zhang called the gift a %u201cgreat and welcomed surprise%u201d that opened her eyes to how TMA %u201cinvolves its members, listens to our voices, and develops the next generation of leaders.%u201dBoth Dr. Zhang-Rutledge and Dr. Kudesia graduated from theTMA Leadership College (https://bit.ly/4oB0QCR)in May. Dr. Kudesia, needing time to give birth, joined the program after deferring her admission.She added that scholarships like the Cowles Endowment provide relief for young physicians balancing the financial strain of increasing practice expectations, often alongside new caregiving responsibilities that come with a growing family.%u201cAs a young physician, you%u2019re trying to do everything. From establishing your practice to building up academic credentials, it can be hard,%u201d Dr. Kudesia said. %u201cIt means a lot to have the support of TMA and [the TMASFF Cowles Young Physician Scholarship] program. I really feel like a valued member of my medical society.%u201dDr. Zhang-Rutledge will kick off TexMed 2026 as a new member of TMA%u2019s Committee on Patient-Physician Advocacy; Dr. Kudesia hopes to join TMA%u2019s Committee on Reproductive, Women%u2019s, and Perinatal Health.Both physicians will use their scholarship funds for travel expenses incurred during their time attending the Leadership College%u2013and are honored to continue Dr. Cowles%u2019 mission of advocating on behalf of medicine within local and state governments.%u201cDr. Cowles%u2019 work to support the young physician community was incredibly meaningful,%u201d Dr. Zhang-Rutledge said. %u201cLearning about him made me even more driven to continue to become a leader in medicine and to continue my journey with TMA. I know this is the right way to go.%u201dThe Houston Academy of Medicine, HCMS%u2019 affiliate organization which oversees its public health education and community service activities, established the scholarship fund with a $50,000 gift to TMA%u2019s Special Funds Foundation.This scholarship fund is designed to be used by qualified Harris County young physicians to pursue leadership training opportunities in the Texas Medical Association. The endowment honors the late Charles Cowles Jr., MD, a Harris County physician known for his expertise in operating room fire safety and his dedication to developing physician leaders. A former paramedic, firefighter, and clinician, Dr. Cowles chaired TMA%u2019s Council on Medical Education and championed leadership training for young physicians until his death in a 2020 car accident at age 52. To contribute to the endowment, individuals candonate online (https://bit.ly/4oAgoqo)or send checks to Texas Medical Association Special Funds Foundation, Attn: Cowles Young Physician Scholarship, 401 W. 15thSt., Suite 100, Austin, TX 78701. TMASFF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and contributions are fully tax-deductible as permitted by federal law.For information on scholarships and low-interest loans for medical students and residents, visitTMA%u2019s Educational Loans and Scholarships page. HCMS would like to congratulate Dr. Zhang-Rutledge and Dr. Kudesia and looks forward to their continuing leadership in both HCMS and TMA! Article is based on TMA article by Alisa Pierce located at https://www.texmed.org/Template.aspx?id=66458